I thought I'd hand out some free agency awards, but before I do, here are some thoughts on how the league views the Patriots' performance to this point.
Let's start with some numbers. According to Sports Info Solutions, the Pats' pass rush was anemic (as I've pointed out so many times).
Sacks - 28 (32nd)
Hurries - 112 (T30th)
Hits - 94 (28th)
Knockdowns - 34 (30th)
The additions of Milton Williams and Harold Landry (history tells us K'Lavon Chaisson hasn't proven he can be counted on yet), along with linebacker Robert Spillane and cornerback Carlton Davis (marry the rush with coverage), should change that.
"They've gotten playmakers at all three levels of the defense," said one AFC defensive coordinator. "I'd be excited by that. It gives them more options to play the defense Mike (Vrabel) wants. They'll be aggressive. They aren't going to let some quarterback sit back there and pick them apart. Someone like Williams can wreck a play a second in, and we know there aren't too many QBs who like interior pressure. If (Christian) Barmore is healthy, good luck."
"I love the Williams signing," said an AFC scout. "He can be their Jeffery Simmons. They can move him around a bit, and he's a handful wherever. If he continues to improve - and he did that in Philly - he's capable of being a Pro Bowl player. Having that kind of talent should help unlock the guys around him, especially (Keion) White. They could be a problem."
An NFC defensive coach liked the signing of Spillane more than any other in New England.
"I'm not putting him in the Bobby Wagner class. Or Roquon Smith. Don't get it twisted. But I don't know if enough people understand what a ball hawk he is. Beyond Maxx (Crosby), the Raiders didn't have much up front (editor: especially after the Christian Wilkins injury). But that didn't slow Spillane down. Very instinctual player. Always around the football and has a habit of getting his hands on it."
"I'm sure some are calling these signings an overpay, but when you have all that money to spend, you shouldn't get beat out for the players you want," said one pro personnel source. "They didn't. At least on defense..."
And therein lies the flip side of the coin. The league-wide view of the Pats' needs going into free agency was exactly the same as we felt here at home — left tackle and wide receiver. Aside from adding Mack Hollins, no one's idea of a #1 or #2, that hasn't happened yet.
"Barring something no one could predict right now, they're going to have to find a left tackle in the draft, and based on the guys currently available at wideout, have to use a high pick on that, too. This isn't the draft for that, but that's where they are."
The Pats were in contact with several free agents along the offensive line, making plays for Dan and Jaylon Moore (Tennessee and KC), center Drew Dalman (Chicago), and guards Will Fries (Minnesota) and Patrick Mekari (Jacksonville). They didn't land any of them, forcing a quick pivot to 34-year-old Morgan Moses. To my knowledge, they aren't into another left tackle that is still available, Cam Robinson. That lack of interest goes beyond the uneven play on the field and his foot issue. There are concerns about both character and football IQ.
That puts the team between a rock and a hard place when the NFL draft comes around in six weeks. There is no automatic answer at LT, no Joe Alt (I know he played RT this year, but he's an LT), or Tristan Wirfs. It's trusting that Will Campbell will be a historical outlier with that arm length and wingspan or that Josh Simmons' knee and lack of tape against high-level opponents is a mere speedbump on the way to franchise play, or you can find a day two or three gem. It is not an enviable position to be in, but after the swings and misses a year ago, this is the Pats' lot in life on the offensive side of the ball.
Now, on to the awards...
PACK YOUR S*%#
George Pickens. For starters, D.K. Metcalf and he both play the same position, and Metcalf got the big ole' bag after the trade with the Seahawks was completed. Metcalf is also a constant source of irritation and agitation for the coaching staff (at least in Seattle), so the idea that these two players could co-exist in the same room is not only unlikely but unfair to the wide receiver coach. If management wants to force that down his throat, ask for a substantial raise and hazard pay.
Pickens' immaturity — and that might not be a strong enough word to describe it — has been prominent since his time at the University of Georgia. Mike Tomlin has called out the youngster several times, including this gem, after a win over the Bengals on December 1st.
"He's just got to grow up."
It hasn't happened yet - Tomlin benched him later in the year - but it will almost assuredly continue to the next stop, wherever that may be.
FIREWORKS FORTHCOMING
Speaking of...let's hear it for Aaron Rodgers and D.K. Metcalf (I know. I know. It hasn't happened yet. But...) Metcalf is not a detailed receiver. At all. Rodgers isn't as obsessive as Tom Brady was in that regard, but he's close. I can't wait for the angry unbuckling of the chip strap and hand signals from the QB, and the stare-down in return from Metcalf. It's gonna be awesome.
DOES KINKO'S STILL EXIST?
Giants GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll should start printing resumes in bulk unless they somehow find the quarterback of the future in the draft, and whoever that is has a Jayden Daniels-like ascension in year one. Owner John Mara put them on the hot seat and wants a playoff appearance or something close to it, and this roster doesn't have the juice even after the free agent additions of CB Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland. The Holland addition was curious. Schoen let Xavier McKinney walk last year and said they didn't want to pay top dollar for a free safety type. Twelve months later, and that's precisely what they do with Holland.
I'M SORRY, HE GOT HOW MUCH?
(Tie) Javon Kinlaw (Washington) and Tershawn Wharton (Carolina). I'm still staggered over the deals. Both players inked three-year deals worth $45 million, with $30 million guaranteed. Kinlaw is now on his third team in six seasons, bouncing from San Francisco (who declined his fifth-year option), the New York Jets, and now the Commanders. He had 2.5 sacks for Gang Green and is an average run defender. What a country. I texted one front office exec and got back a simple "WTF." Those are my thoughts exactly.
Wharton was more productive. He had 6.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits last season for the Chiefs, but this move had a whiff of desperation after Milton Williams spurned the Panthers for the Patriots.
'MID' IS THE NEW UPPER CLASS
To the wide receiver trio of Darius Slayton, Dyami Brown, and Josh Palmer, who signed contracts that could max out at a combined $84 million (bare minimum of $40 million). What a world.
DREAM ANOTHER DREAM (THIS ONE IS OVER)
How about the 49ers hitting the hard reset after an injury-plagued and disappointing season? They are cutting and trading everybody, or so it seems. Deebo Samuel, Leonard Floyd, Maliek Collins, and Javon Hargrave all have been sent packing. Aaron Banks, Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and Charvarious Ward walked in free agency with no resistance. They couldn't convince Nick Bosa's brother, Joey, to come to the Bay Area. He chose Buffalo instead. I'm not putting dirt on the 49ers. Still, the impending Brock Purdy extension has changed the math there. With serious money invested in some aging or injured players (Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk), this was the right time to choose the path KC did several years ago, and the Bills did last year. The bottom shouldn't drop out, but they'll be more malleable fiscally next off-season.
CHOOSING THE NUCLEAR OPTION
Texans GM Nick Caserio watched the season unravel because of poor offensive line play, especially on the interior. So what did Caserio do? Wisely cut aging RG Shaq Mason and traded LG Kenyon Green, a former first-round pick, for safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. But Caserio pushed the red button when he shipped out left tackle Laremy Tunsil for a cadre of draft picks. Tunsil isn't the same player he once was - top 5 or so at the position for a handful of years - but he's still average to slightly above average. However, with reports that the locker room has become toxic and future bills coming due on the likes of Derek Stingley, Danielle Hunter, C.J. Stroud, and Will Anderson, Caserio chose to move on. How he plans on filling those voids remains to be seen - likely Tytus Howard to Tunsil's spot for starters - but these forthcoming moves could well determine the fate of the 2025-26 Texans, much as it did this past year.
IT'S A CHOICE — NOT A GOOD ONE, BUT A CHOICE NONETHELESS
The Colts are giving Daniel Jones a contract worth as much as $17 million to compete with former top-5 pick Anthony Richardson. Jones washed out in New York after signing a lucrative extension following one good season under Daboll and tried to absorb some of Kevin O'Connell's magic pixie dust in Minnesota before this opportunity arose. I'd say he took it because he watched some of Richardson's tape and said that kid makes me look consistent as a pocket passer (he is not). Indy has no #1 receiver, a line experiencing some turnover (G Will Fries and C Ryan Kelly left in free agency), and though head coach Shane Steichen hasn't fallen on his face, he might be in a make-or-break season.
I LIKE IT. YOU MAY NOT, BUT I DO
We all have soft spots for specific players. Heck, some of you still think Mac Jones could have been that guy. I'm still on the "Geno Smith is a fun quarterback, and you can win some games with" train. Geno got traded for a third-rounder and will now ply his trade in Vegas with former coach Pete Carroll. I'm here for it. Smith plays with no fear, sometimes to his detriment, but he's a good player, and he should elevate the Raiders into a more watchable product than they've been for several years. "They wrote me off, but I didn't write back." Cheers, Geno.
